"Shiloh": Finding One's Indentity Analytical Essay
An analysis of the short story "Shiloh" by Bobbie Ann Mason.
# 145912
| 935 words
| 4 sources
| MLA
| 2009
| 
Published
on Dec 07, 2010
in
Literature
(American)
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Description:
This paper reviews and analyzes Bobbie Ann Mason's short story "Shiloh" with an emphasis on the characters' struggles to find and define their identities. First, the story examines the male protagonist, Leroy, and his lost sense of masculinity because he can no longer work in his occupation following an accident. Then, it considers the development of the female protagonist, Norma Jean, who is married to Leroy. She is also on a quest of self discovery, which the paper describes through her many new activities and interests. The review also stresses Norma Jean's challenging relationship with her mother. The paper concludes by stating that Leroy and Norma Jean both have dealt with issues in their lives that have hindered them from discovering their own identity.
From the Paper:
"Leroy decides, after having built a miniature log cabin, that he wants to build a real log cabin for him and his wife Norma Jean. He realizes he is good at building little things so he feels he is capable of building something bigger, but his wife strongly dislikes the idea of living in a log cabin. Leroy is trying to identify with craftsmanship because he thinks it will help discover who he truly is. Not only that, but Leroy also wants to build the log cabin because he wants to reestablish his role as head of the household since he has been injured and not able to do much. His wife has been working everyday and bringing in the money while he sits at home and does crafts. Norma Jean even takes a body building class because she wants stronger muscles."Sample of Sources Used:
- Bentley, Greg. "The Wounded King: Bobbie Ann Mason's "Shiloh" and Marginalized Male Subjectivity." Southern Literary Journal. 2004. 4 April 2009. 144-161. <http://web.ebscohost.com.proxy.longwood.edu/ehost/detail?vid=1&hid=103&sid>.
- "Finding Your Life's Purpose." Futurist Feb. 1998: V 32.
- Mason, Bobbie Ann. "Shiloh." American Short Stories. Hitchock, Bert and Virginia Kouidis. New York: Pearson Education Inc, 2008. 539-549.
- Price, Joanna. Understanding Bobbie Ann Mason. South Carolina: University of South Carolina Press, 2000. 24.
Cite this Analytical Essay:
APA Format
"Shiloh": Finding One's Indentity (2010, December 07)
Retrieved June 03, 2023, from https://www.academon.com/analytical-essay/shiloh-finding-one-indentity-145912/
MLA Format
""Shiloh": Finding One's Indentity" 07 December 2010.
Web. 03 June. 2023. <https://www.academon.com/analytical-essay/shiloh-finding-one-indentity-145912/>